Patent GB-231224-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in the process of effecting chemical reactions in solutions
IPC: B01J19/00
Filed: 1923-12-17
Abstract: In effecting chemical reactions in solution, with or without the use of catalysts, the concentration of the total solutes and/or the concentration of each solute, as well as the temperature, are continuously varied from outside in the opposite sense to the variations in the stated factors which the desired reaction tends to induce.  The concentration of the total solutes and/or of each solute is varied by introducing into the reacting solution under pressure either a concentrated solution of one or more of the reagents or the pure solvent, and the temperature is varied by the provision of heated or cooled zones locally in the solution, by the use, for example, of heated or cooled coils.  an example is given describing the production of potassium sulphate by double decomposition between potassium chloride and magnesium sulphate.  The reaction vessel is charged to one-third of its capacity with a solution of the reagents, and a more concentrated solution of the reagents is continuously introduced so that the container is filled in about two hours.  The container is fitted with both a heating and a cooling coil, the heating coil, against which the more concentrated solution is projected, being necessary as the reaction is endothermic, and the cooling coil serving to absorb the heat liberated by the precipitation of the potassium sulphate.  Another example describes the production of ethyl acetate by reaction between acetic acid and ethyl alcohol. The reaction vessel is filled to one third of its capacity with a solution of the reagents at a temperature of 60 DEG C., and a more concentrated solution of the reagents is introduced so that the container is filled in about three hours, after which the solution is distilled.  The reaction being only slightly exothermic, no artificial cooling is necessary.  Another example describes the reverse reaction of decomposing ethyl acetate into acetic acid and ethyl alcohol, a reaction which is carried out similarly to the reactions previously described but with a continuous decrease in the concentration of the total solutes and a continuous increase in temperature.ALSO:In effecting chemical reactions in solution, with or without the use of catalysts, the concentration of the total solutes and/or the concentration of each solute, as well as the temperature, are continuously varied from outside in the opposite sense to the variations in the stated factors which the desired reaction tends to induce.  The concentration of the total solutes and/or of each solute is varied by introducing into the reacting solution under pressure either a concentrated solution of one or more of the reagents or the pure solvent, and the temperature is varied by the provision of heated or cooled zones locally in the solution, by the use, for example, of heated or cooled coils.  An example is given describing the production of ethyl acetate by reaction between acetic acid and ethyl alcohol.  The reaction vessel is filled to one third of its capacity with a solution of the reagents at a temperature of 60 DEG C., and a more concentrated solution of the reagents is introduced so that the container is filled in about three hours, after which the solution is distilled.  The reaction being only slightly exothermic, no artificial cooling is necessary.  Another example describes the reverse reaction of decomposing ethyl acetate into acetic acid and ethyl alcohol, a reaction which is carried out similarly to the reaction previously described, but with a continuous decrease in the concentration of the total solutes and a continuous increase in temperature.  For reactions proceeding in more than one stage, the container may be fitted with both a heating and a cooling coil.ALSO:In effecting chemical reactions in solution, with or without the use of catalysts, the concentration of the total solutes and the concentration of each solute, as well as the temperature, are continuously varied from outside in the opposite sense to the variations in the stated factors which the desired reaction tends to induce.  The concentration of the total solutes or of each solute is varied by introducing into the reacting solution under pressure either a concentrated solution of one or more of the reagents or the pure solvent, and the temperature is varied by the provision of heated or cooled zones locally in the solution, by the use, for example, of heated or cooled coils.  An example is given describing the production of potassium sulphate by double decomposition between potassium chloride and magnesium sulphate. The reaction vessel is charged to one-third of its capacity with a solution of the reagents, and a more concentrated solution of the reagents is continuously introduced so that the container is filled in about two hours.  The container is fitted with both a heating and a cooling coil, the heating coil, against which the more concentrated solution is projected, being necessary as the reaction is endothermic, and the cooling coil serving to absorb the heat liberated by the precipitation of the potassium sulphate.